Lexus RZ first drive – mastering the yoke

Lexus has introduced its updated RZ electric SUV to NZ at a time when interest in EVs remains high.

The Japanese brand has experienced continued growth in the luxury sector since 2018 on the back of its hybrid technology and now commands second place in that premium end of the market, having overhauled Mercedes and Audi to sit behind BMW.

More than 90 per cent of its sales are electrified, and while buyers have been transitioning from hybrids to PHEV tech, the pure battery electric share remains low given it only sells one electric model since the demise of the UX.

However we think that might change with the updated RZ. Previously this was a little underwhelming, and over priced, but the new one arrives with improved power, efficiency and tech. And it’s cheaper. Where previously the RZ asked circa $150k, Lexus has repositioned it in the range to fit in between the NX and RX models. It now starts at $109,900 for the 500e while the 550e F Sport is $134,900. That has it priced under the RX 350h.

According to Lexus NZ VP, Andrew Davis, the brand has reviewed its pricing across the whole line-up to see where the new RZ needed to fit.

So, was it too expensive previously, we asked? “Well, when you look at this to that, you’d say yes…we priced it traditionally. It was new technology and we looked at it in isolation. Now, we look at it across the whole segment.” 

“The challenge we’ve had is we want to offer multi-pathway (in terms of powertrain options), so it’s got to be accessible to customers.

“But we’ve had to review all of our pricing to make that work. The market just doesn’t seem to be in a position to accept high-priced BEVS.”

Lexus RZ range

Things kick off with the 500e Dynamic. System output has been increased from 230 to 280kW and there’s been a slight uptick in battery capacity to 74kWh. Improvements to the battery thermal management system make it more efficient and also give a more consistent range in lower temperatures. While it can hit 100 in 4.6s, the 460km range figure will be of more interest to buyers. 

The DC charge rate remains at 150kW (28m 10 – 80 per cent) though the thermal management also means more consistent charge times, especially when using the new preconditioning function. The AC charge capacity has doubled to 22kW. Updates to the motors and inverter improve efficiency too.  

There’s also the 550e F-Sport with 300kW, a slightly bigger battery and a 437km range. It’s got a distinct look with a two-tone exterior and an interactive manual drive mode with eight simulated speeds. The F-Sport also gets the new steer by wire tech as standard, while it can optioned to the 500e for $10k. 

Lexus RZ – steer by wire?

There’s no physical steering column in the RZ 550e, instead digital signals from the yoke are interpreted by the rack to turn the road wheels. The chief benefit is reduced effort at the wheel. For instance, a full lock u-turn only requires the equivalent of half a turn of a traditional steering wheel. 

Steer by wire automatically adjusts steering response to vehicle speed, so both low and high speed manoeuvres require very little effort at the wheel. The system also filters out vibrations and road shock when cruising, and can help maintain stability at high speeds. In terms of fail safes, Lexus says the system includes built-in redundancy to ensure steering control even if a fault occurs. 

We put the RZ F-Sport through a slalom course on track, and the feedback was genuine. It doesn’t take much to get used to the reduced input needed to get it turning. The system builds up steering weight progressively in tight corners, and there’s a reasonably feel for the action, despite there being no actual connection to the wheels. 

Doing the same thing in the RZ with conventional steering requires a lot more effort, the drive winding away at the wheel. And you probably get more back from the yoke set up too. You’re more precise in the yoke-equipped car, it is well programmed. The yoke set up has miniaturised indicator and wiper wands, while multifunction pads can be manipulated by the thumbs. It’s all about keeping your hands on the wheel.  It’s standard on the F-Sport and a $10k option for the 500e Dynamic. 

There’s an interactive manual drive mode for the F-Sport too, with simulated gearchanges. When initiated, you can paddle your way through the gears to mimic a manual mode on an auto. It has all the ingredients like shift shock on the upshifts, throttle blips on the downshift and a rev limiter when you forget to change up.

It’s a proper manual mode, so floor it in sixth gear and you get the usual labouring you’d experience with a traditional box. It also adds a generated noise to proceedings. When in use, the paddles (which are a bit too small) change from affecting brake regen to changing gears. It’s a nice to have, adds a bit interest to the drive, but probably something owners will use initially, and then forget about. 

The added power is always appreciated, especially at the reduced asking price. The RZ remains largely the same otherwise, apart from the addition of ambient lighting and new materials through out. A bummer for the people that bought the old one, but good news for Lexus loyalists looking to ditch oil.